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FALL NETWORKS
TV networks have made some odd choices this fall

Here's a look at what to check out and what to avoid:

By LAURA NACHMAN
Courier Times E-mail

 

Now that the delayed fall season is set to get under way Monday night, here's a look at what to check out and what to avoid:

Most disturbing trend for fall:

"Saved by the Bell" regulars returning to television. Mark Paul Gosselaar (Zack) joins "NYPD Blue" and Mario Lopez (Slater) is on "The Other Half." Plus Tiffani (sans Amber) Thiessen will appear on three episodes of "Just Shoot Me." What's next, "The CBS Evening News with Screech?"

Second most disturbing trend for fall:

The return of "Full House" regulars to television with John Stamos in "Thieves" and Bob Saget in "Raising Dad." The Olsen twins arrived this summer in "So Little Time" on the Fox Family Channel.

The "Oh, I can't believe that show wasn't canceled award":

"That's Life" on CBS, "Three Sisters" on NBC, "Grounded for Life" on Fox, and anything on UPN.

Reality Check:

"Survivor," "The Mole II," "Temptation Island 2," "The Amazing Race," "Lost," "Popstars 2," "Love Cruise" and "ElimiDate Deluxe."

Best show title:

"Philly."

Worst show title:

"Inside Schwartz" and "Crossing Jordan."

Name game:

"The Ellen Show," "Danny," "Emeril," "What About Joan," "The Bernie Mac Show," "The Steve Harvey Show," "According to Jim," "Titus" and "Reba."

Show with the best buzz:

"Alias."

Worst buzz:

"Bob Patterson" and "Emeril."

"My career went so well after leaving 'ER,' I'm returning to TV":

Sherry Stringfield, who returns to "ER," and Gloria Reuben, who stars in "The Agency."

Broadcast veterans:

"60 Minutes," "Cops," "America's Most Wanted," "The Simpsons," "Friends," "ER," "Law and Order," "The X-Files," "NYPD Blue," "20/20," "Touched by an Angel" and "Frasier."

Shows in their prime:

"Everybody Loves Raymond," "Will and Grace," "Buffy the Vampire Slayer," "The Practice," "The Simpsons" and "The West Wing."

Make or break year:

"Dharma and Greg," "Family Law," "Spin City," "Roswell" and "Ally McBeal."

Once is not enough:

"Who Wants to be a Millionaire" airs Monday and Thursday; "Law and Order" on Wednesday, "Law and Order: Criminal Intent," on Sunday and "Law and Order: Special Victims Unit" on Friday; "60 Minutes" on Sunday and "60 Minutes II" on Wednesday; "Dateline NBC," on Sunday, Tuesday and Friday; "Whose Line is it Anyway," twice on Thursday.

Once is More Than Enough:

"Yes Dear."

 

 

Saturday, September 22, 2001